It was my first time in the city, and I fell in love with it instantly. Vancouver is the perfect blend of big city energy and stunning natural beauty—surrounded by both water and mountains. The food scene was incredible, and it’s a super walkable city, which made getting around a breeze.
I found a direct flight from Denver (DEN) to Vancouver (YVR) for just $30—and that’s what kicked off this entire trip. A friend of mine drove up from Seattle to meet me, and we spent four full days (three nights) exploring Vancouver at the end of July.
How we traveled there
I flew Sun Country direct from Denver to Vancouver (YVR) and came back with Air Canada. Flight time was just over 3 hours. Once I landed in Vancouver, I took the SkyTrain (Canada Line) from the airport to downtown. It was a quick and easy 26-minute ride to the final stop, Waterfront Station. It cost $4.65 CAD, and you can just tap your credit card at the gate—super convenient.
On the way back to the airport, I grabbed an Uber instead. I ended up stuck at the airport for a while with a delayed flight, but luckily, the terminal had a Joe & The Juice, Canucks Bar, and Duty Free shopping.
Where we stayed
For the first night, I was solo and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver (655 Burrard Street), using points. Highly recommend using points if you have them—hotels in Vancouver are expensive. They let me check in early for a small fee (around $10–15), which was worth it after the early morning flight.
When my friend arrived, we moved into an Airbnb at 1010 Howe Street which I wouldn’t recommend. It is next door to a homeless shelter and is in the downtown neighborhood. The building and location didn’t feel completely safe, it didn’t have central air, and we barely used the kitchen because the food in the city was just too good to cook at home. If you’re planning a short trip, I’d suggest sticking to a hotel—especially if you can use points.
What activities we did
- Granville Island Public Market – Ate fish & chips, grabbed macaroons, browsed local shops; took an Uber there but the water bus is an option too. Very touristy but worth a visit if you’ve never been.
- Charleston Park – Walked here from Granville Island for great city views and a chill vibe by the water.
- Stanley Park – Rented an e-bike from Jo-e Bikes for $22 (1.5 hrs) and rode the seawall loop; highly recommend an e-bike as it’s a big park and can get hot.
- Canada Place / Digital Orca – Walked over to see the orca from my hotel and it wasn’t worth it.
- Vancouver Central Public Library Rooftop View – Not really worth the visit unless you’re already nearby.
- Capilano Suspension Bridge Park – Lots of stairs and movement on the bridge; wear athletic clothes and good shoes. Not accessible for people with mobility issues. This was a cool stop on the sea to sky highway, but it is expensive and touristy.
- Sea to Sky Highway – Gorgeous drive with plenty of scenic stops; totally worth it.
- Downtown Squamish – Cute area with local shops—good stop if you’re already on the Sea to Sky.
- Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks – If you’re in Vancouver during late July or early August, try to catch the Honda Celebration of Light—an annual international fireworks competition that lights up the skies over English Bay. It’s not just a fireworks show—it’s a full-day event with music, food trucks, and a festival-like atmosphere that draws thousands of locals and visitors alike. Countries take turns showcasing their best pyrotechnic displays set to music, creating a beautiful show over the water. We grabbed drinks from Wall Centre Fine Spirits, walked down to Sunset Beach Park, and joined what felt like half the city to watch the show. There were a lot of people on boats, so it would be fun to look into renting one if you plan ahead of time. Heads up: Ubers can’t get close during the event, so be prepared to walk. It’s a magical way to spend a summer night—definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
- Gastown Steam Clock – A quick stop for the iconic clock, but not a must-do. It goes off every 15 minutes.
- Swan Spa – Grabbed a massage here based on location while I had time to kill after lunch and before my flight—not the nicest spa, but it was a solid option to kill some time.
Shopping
- London Drugs & Shoppers Drug Mart – Grabbed NeoCitran (for colds/flu) and Green Beaver chapstick—nice local brands. I also grabbed some chapstick in the mint flavor for Elyse as it’s her favorite. All of these items can only be bought in Canada.
- H Jewelry and K Beauty Store – Asian beauty store at 804 Seymour St. I’d recommend looking at TikToks before you go to decide what you want to get. The products are in other languages and the quantity can be overwhelming. You can use Google Lens to translate the language on the package.
- Lululemon – Great if you’re looking for athletic wear. This is a Canadian brand, so prices can be better (on top of the exchange rate), and they have a better selection.
- Roots – Classic brand for cozy basics and leather goods. This is a Canadian brand, so prices can be better (on top of the exchange rate), and they have a better selection.
- Nettle’s Tale – Vancouver-based swimwear and body-positive fashion; I loved the vibe. They offer sizes xs-4x!
- Shop Makers – Local artisan shop with unique handmade gifts and souvenirs.
Where we ate
The food in Vancouver is some of the best I’ve ever had. I’d recommend eating most meals out!
Tacofino – Casual and cool with amazing tacos. Great for a quick bite with flavor.
Minami – Incredible sushi spot; upscale but not stuffy. The aburi sushi is a must.
Honolulu Coffee – Grabbed coffee and acai bowls here; great vibe and a good stop to recharge or for breakfast.
Fergie’s Café – Absolutely worth the drive to Squamish just for this meal. It’s a gorgeous setting, too.
Miku – Another top-tier sushi experience; great views and beautifully crafted dishes.
Avo House – This recently closed, but it was my favorite meal of the trip. I ate here a few times. Healthy, affordable, fresh flavors. Keep an eye out in case they reopen.
Reflections The Garden Terrace – Elyse ate dinner here years ago and loved it. It is a rooftop restaurant on top of the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. It has a garden vibe with trees coming out of the floor. It temporarily closes during the winter months.
Where we drank
- The Stock Room (Secret Bar) – Hidden cocktail bar behind Hundy Burger on Mainland Street. No sign out front—just look for the burger place and ask! Super vibey, creative drinks and great for a low-key night out.
What we recommend knowing/preparing
- Currency: Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). Have a credit card that isn’t AmEx and has no foreign transaction fees—Visa or Mastercard worked everywhere. While electronic payments are widely accepted, having a small amount of Canadian cash is useful for places that might not accept cards, such as certain small businesses.
- Time Difference: Vancouver is in Pacific Time, so plan meetings and travel days accordingly.
- Cost: Vancouver is beautiful but pricey—expect high costs for hotels, meals, and even coffee.
- Robson Street: This main drag is packed with shops and restaurants, and it was conveniently close to our hotel. Great for walking and browsing.
- Getting Around: Uber and Lyft were easy to get and reasonably priced.
- Bag Storage: If you’re in between check-in/out times, use Bounce to store your bags around the city—super handy.
- Google Maps Tip: Make your own custom map ahead of time with places pinned—it made it so easy to see what was nearby on the go.
- Walkability: Vancouver is very walkable, especially downtown. We walked to most places!
- Phone: As with anywhere out of the country, you should expect to pay extra to use your cell phone. Reach out to your phone provider to check on the cost.
- Weather: The best time of year to go is between April – October. This is when the weather is nicest and theres a lower chance of rain.
- Nexus: If you travel to Canada often, consider looking into the Nexus program.
What we didn’t do but looked into
Food & Drink
- Mister – Liquid nitrogen ice cream
- Heirs Pears – Gluten-free brunch spot
- Lemonade – Gluten-free bakery
- Cardero’s – Seafood with a harbor view
- Fat Mao Noodles – Asian-style noodle house
- Ask for Luigi – Cozy Italian spot with handmade pasta
- Twisted Fork – Popular brunch place
- Meet in Gastown – Plant-based comfort food
- Tasty Indian Bistro – Upscale Indian cuisine
- Stanley Park Brewing – Craft beer near the park
- Virtuous Pie – Vegan pizza and ice cream
- Cactus Club Cafe – Upscale casual dining, waterfront views
- Café Medina – Brunch with waffles and Mediterranean twists
- The Beach House – Seaside dining with views
- Catch 122 – Seafood and grill
- Iki – Japanese gluten free café
- The Lunch Lady – Vietnamese Street Food
- Phnom Penh – Vietnamese Food
Coffee
- Revolver – Coffee in Gastown
- Deville Coffee – Modern coffee bar
- Nemesis – Coffee shop
- Caffè Artigiano – Italian-style coffee and pastries
Shops & Experiences
- VanDusen Botanical Garden – Passed it on the way to the airport; it looks like a peaceful spot and would be easy to pair with arrival or departure day.
- Miraj Hammam Spa – A Moroccan-style spa in the city with steam rooms and treatments. It looked super relaxing and unique—I would try this next time.
- Community Thrift – Vintage and curated clothing
- Chinatown – Historic neighborhood with culture and food
- Thrive – Stylish co-working space
- Tality Secret Spa – Cold plunge/sauna
- Lynn Canyon Park – Nature trails with a suspension bridge
- Olympic Park – Built for 2010 Olympics
Remote working tips
I worked remotely from my room at the Hyatt Regency—great Wi-Fi, quiet enough for video calls, and easy access to spots for lunch or coffee.
If you don’t have early hotel check-in or need a backup plan, consider booking a WeWork day pass. I looked at:
- 333 Seymour Street
- 555 Burrard Street
Both are centrally located and looked like good options if you’re working on the go.
What we packed
Vancouver’s summer weather is usually pretty mild and comfortable, but it can swing between sunny and cool, so packing layers is key. Here’s what I recommend bringing:
- Light Jacket or Sweater – Evenings can get breezy, especially near the water or in the mountains
- Comfortable Walking Shoes – The city is super walkable. Bring shoes you can wear all day.
- Athletic Wear – Useful for outdoor activities like biking Stanley Park or climbing stairs at the suspension bridge
- Rain Jacket or Compact Umbrella – We got lucky with no rain, but it’s still Vancouver—showers can happen anytime
- Daypack or Small Backpack – Perfect for holding snacks, a water bottle, and anything you pick up while exploring
- Sunglasses & Sunscreen – It’s not scorching, but UV still hits strong, especially near the water
- Refillable Water Bottle – Tap water is safe
- Swimsuit – If you’re planning to check out a beach, spa, or pool
- Portable Charger – You’ll be using your phone a lot for maps, pics, and Ubers
- Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Reusable Tote Bag – Handy for groceries, snacks, or impromptu shopping
- Light Scarf or Shawl – Great for layering or dressing up an outfit at night
- Don’t forget your passport/visa/proof of citizenship!
Check out our Victoria blog and consider adding it to your Vancouver itinerary! While Victoria is only about 60 miles southwest of the city, it sits on Vancouver Island—so you’ll need to take a ferry, floatplane, or helicopter to get there.
We hope you enjoyed our Vancouver travel guide. Contact us for any questions. If you are looking to explore more places in Canada, then you should also check out our post on Banff.
~Jessica
